Introduction:
One of the most iconic Jeeps, the M151 has been extensively covered as a plastic kit in 1/35 scale. Both Tamiya and Academy released several different M151A1/A2 variants, with aftermarket companies offering conversions and update sets for these kits. DEF Model produced a set of resin replacement tires (DW35038) featuring Good Year tires and late style rims, and now the company tackles early style wheels with Firestone tires. This review covers M151A1 Mutt Jeep Early Sagged Wheel set (1) (DW35123).
Review:
The set is packed in a small but sturdy hard cardboard box.
The box contains a zip lock bag with resin and 3D printed parts, a masking sheet and instructions.
Upon closer inspection the resin pieces look really good. The cast is very impressive and I found no imperfections in the resin whatsoever. The thin flash residue in the rim openings can be easily cleaned using the back of a sharp blade. Front suspension A-arms are delivered as 3D printed pieces.
The details on the resin parts are sharp and well defined… these should pop right out on the painted and weathered tires.
The casting blocks are located on the bottom part of the tire and removing them should not present any problems. The casting block on the spare tire is designed with the attachment points following the tire tread, ensuring no details are lost during cleanup. I suggest using side cutters, sharp blade and some fine grit sandpaper. As for removing and cleaning 3D printed parts, these should be handled with sharp pointed side cutters and some sandpaper. Be careful… if manhandled, these delicate pieces could easily snap.
The set depicts Firestone S-3 7.00-16 tire on early type 5 hole rims. Firestone tire is tube-type, bias ply, non-directional military tire, commonly used on many Cold War military vehicles, with dimensions of 774.7 x 200.7 mm (30.5 x 7.9 in). The early magnesium rims featured 5 rectangular openings, and 5 lug pattern.
Closer inspection of the 1/35 scale offering from DEF Model revealed an excellent match to the reference images I found on early M151A1 wheels and Firestone 7.00-16 tires. The tires feature a well-known non-directional cross country (NDCC) tread pattern, with the sidewalls covered in various microscopic inscriptions and shapes… several of them perfectly legible on these 1/35 scale tires (S-3, Firestone, 7.00-16). The shape of the early rims is realistically reproduced with 5 lugs and lifting eye hub caps.
The tires of the road wheels are depicted slightly sagged. The sag realistically conveys the compression of the tire due to the weight of the vehicle.
The set includes two slightly different variants of the road wheels, labeled as A and B. The two variants differ in orientation of the tire compression, rim and lifting eye hub caps. This ensures that wheels fitted to the same side of the vehicle do not look identical and repetitive, but slightly different, adding to the realism of the model.
And here is a closer look at the spare tire.
Along with the resin replacement wheels, this set includes 4 nicely detailed brake drums, which should enhance the look of the finished model.
Also, the set includes two 3D printed upper A-arms which are missing in both Tamiya and Academy kits.
Here’s how the front suspension looks on the real M151.
source: http://www.primeportal.net/
DEF Model also supplied images on positioning suspension parts from their set: link.
Wheel masks:
A pre-cut masking sheet is included in this kit. The masks are of help when painting the wheels, allowing airbrushing without overspray. Also included is the instruction leaflet which shows two different ways of applying the masks and painting the wheels.
Conclusion:
M151A1 Mutt Jeep Early Sagged Wheel Set 1 (DW35123) from DEF Model delivers resin replacement wheels for Tamiya and Academy M151A1 offerings in 1/35 scale. Containing 4 road wheels and a spare wheel, the set features Firestone 7.00-16 tires and early rims, perfectly cast in resin and with an impressive amount of superbly defined details.
For me, it really is a no brainer. Resin wheels are far superior to vinyl tires/plastic rims included in Tamiya and Academy kits, and the brake drums and front suspension upper A-arms included in the kit are a welcomed addition to enhance the realism of the model. Highly recommended.
A big thanks to DEF Model for this review sample.
http://www.defmodel.com/